Kunle Adelabu
A fresh breath has been pumped into the controversial Ikorodu Plaza located at Ita – Elewa, lkorodu, as a new management team was inaugurated and saddled with the responsibilities of repositioning the facility and making it a revenue generating property.
Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, the Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, constituted the new committee on Friday, October 16, 2020, at the Council’s Secretariat hall.
The structure, which its construction started during the administration of Late Engr. Dele Kuti as Chairman of the Old Ikorodu Local Government, was completed during the tenure of Alhaji Junaid Owokodu with the intervention of the former Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.
Since its completion and commissioning, the complex has suffered different crises such as conflicts between facility managers and shop owners, abandonment, failure of stall owners to operate their shops and lack of patronage among others.
The facility started experiencing some activities some years back when First Bank PLC moved into the ground floor, yet it is still largely under – utilized till date.
Prince Jamiu Adio Saka, an insurance guru and barrister at law, has been saddled to lead the new management team of the Ikorodu Plaza as Chairman, while Mr. Adebayo Kazeem Babatunde is the Secretary.
Other members of the committee, who cut across the six council areas of Ikorodu Division, are Alhaji Junaid Owokorodu, Mrs. O. T. Benson, Mr. Odusoga, Mr. Shakirudeen Ajibade Ajala, Hon. Olugbenga Oshin, Mr. Adewusi Sulaimon.
Representatives each from First Bank Nigeria Plc and other Plaza occupants are also inaugurated as also part of the team.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Ikorodu Local Government Chairman, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, said that the Plaza, which has been in existence for many years, needs proper management to make it generate revenue for the council.
He charged residents to see the complex as theirs and make it a point of duty to see that it is run effectively.
“I warmly welcome all our invited guests to this auspicious gathering of inauguration ceremony of the committee members on Ita-Elewa shopping complex.
“This Shopping Complex has been in existence for some years and it needs to be effectively managed.“The good people of Ikorodu, the Shopping Complex is our property, the management of the Shopping Complex should be our utmost priority and we should make sure that it yields something sustainable for Ikorodu Local Government.
“It is our collective responsibility to make it a worthwhile venture so that it will stand the test of time”, he charged.
“The committee that will administer the affair of the Shopping Complex has been carefully selected among the Local Government and the five (5) Local Council Development Areas. The Committee is to ensure optimal use of the facility by bringing more people into the complex”.
Stating the term of references which must be strictly adhered to by the new management team, Hon. Adeshina stated that:
“The Committee is expected to see to the smooth running of the plaza; the committee shall hold their board meeting twice a quarter at a venue created in the complex or at any other mutually agreed and convenient venue.
“50% of the members of the committee, including the Chairman of the Committee, shall form a quorum during any meeting; the tenure of the Chairman of the Committee shall be for a period of two (2) years but renewable.
“The salaries/allowances of the Committee Members shall be decided upon by the Chairman of the Local Government and the other five (5) Local Council Development Areas; a bank account will be opened and operated by the Committee.
“The signatories to the account shall be decided by the Chairmen of the Local Government and the other five (5) Local Council Development Areas; the Committee is expected to recoup and recover all outstanding debts by the tenants of the plaza.
“A separate account shall be opened for the deposit of all the funds/rents made by the tenants; the committee is expected to compile a quarterly report of all happenings in the complex and forward same to all the Council Chairmen for proper monitoring”.
Hon. Adeola Banjo, the Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, in his remarks commended the selection of the committee membership and charged them to use their wealth of knowledge in repositioning the plaza.
Alhaji Musiliu Animashaun (De Cubano), a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in his remarks stated that the new management team is made up of seasoned administrators and professionals who would deliver on the mandate given to them.
Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Chieftain of the APC, Alhaji Lamidi Folorunsho, Secretary of the APC Apex body in Ikorodu, Alhaji Badry Enifeni, former Executive Secretary of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, Mt Taiwo Orenuga, Chief Monzor Olowosago, Publisher, Oriwu Sun Newspaper, among others graced the occasion.
Meanwhile, THE IMPACT gathered that the previous managers of the Plaza, Kara and Associates, signed a ten year agreement with the Local Government to manage the facility.
Speaking with Arch. Taiwo Kara, the representative of Kara and Associates, on phone, he confirmed that the agreement between the council and the firm has lapsed which necessitated the need to inform the property owners.
“Actually, our ten year term has lapsed and we are the one that informed the council in that regard”, Arch. Kara said.
Arch Kara, who stated that the managers did their best within the terms of agreement, stated that the 250KVA generator bought during that time is still working, as well as the water system put in place and other facilities.
He also added that they are the one responsible for the first traffic light in Ikorodu placed at Oriwu road as part of the efforts to create an enabling environment for the plaza.
Arc. Kara also stated that the loan facilitated through Mr Tokunbo Abiru, the former Managing Director of Polaris Bank, and late Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi for the completion of the complex has been paid back in full with interest and that they do not owe any bank.
He added that money generated during the period has been well accounted for.
Why speaking on the challenges faced by the immediate past managers of the plaza, Arch. Kara said that the issue of payment for security and sanitation by occupants was a major issue which the former Ayangbure, Late Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, intervened at a point and set up a committee to look into it.
“We had issues with occupants which were mainly on electricity, payment for security and sanitation. There were also complaints that sales were not moving and as a result, many occupants failed to pay. We handled the matter as much as we could but only the council can exercise political will in certain regards.
“At a time, LAWMA was giving us N600, 000 as bill to pack wastes within the complex”, he said.
“We also made recommendations on how to make the plaza generate funds for the council. There are decisions that are needed to be taken by the council”, Arch. Kara said.
